The Australian government has increased the home battery subsidy program’s budget from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion over four years. Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the top-up as the original fund quickly ran out. More than 1,000 batteries are installed every working day, with around 500 on Saturdays. "I would say it was even more successful than we thought," Bowen said. The subsidy offers a 30% discount on batteries when paired with new or existing rooftop solar systems. It covers batteries sized between 5kWh and 100kWh, but the rebate applies only to the first 50kWh of capacity. Starting May 1, systems up to 14kWh will get the full 30% discount, while discounts for medium and larger systems will gradually drop. This change aims to encourage households to choose the right-sized battery and keep the scheme available for more people. Bowen explained, "We know that someone who puts a battery in can reduce their bills by up to 90% and if they already have solar panels, that’s a saving of around $1,000 a year. And if you put solar panels in a battery in at the same time, that’s a saving of around $2,000 a year." Industry leaders welcomed the change. Jim Hill, CEO of Nepean Solar Solutions, called it a "huge relief" that will help small businesses plan better and grow. John Grimes, CEO of the Smart Energy Council, said the funding boost and rebate adjustments support spreading solar and battery benefits widely. According to the Australian Energy Market Commission, households adding home batteries can expect to save $600-$900 annually on energy, in addition to solar bill savings.